PORTSMOUTH, N.H. (AP) – Next time, just pay the ticket.

William S. Shufro, 46, of Portsmouth, faces a felony forgery charge for allegedly trying to alter a $100 ticket received for parking illegally in a handicapped space.

Police allege that Shufro tried to alter the ticket to give the appearance that it had been issued for parking in a no-parking zone, which carries just a $20 fine.

The altered ticket was sent to City Hall, along with $20, Police Lt. Fred Hoysradt said.

Police, who had a copy of the original ticket, saw the change – then charged Shufro with forgery, a felony punishable by 31/2 to seven years in prison, Hoysradt said.

Shufro was arraigned on the charge in Portsmouth District Court on Monday.

“Your honor, this is a parking violation,” Shufro told Judge Sharon DeVries as he was being arraigned.

DeVries corrected him.

A hearing on the case has been scheduled for Jan. 3 in Portsmouth District Court.